Active Users:193 Time:24/04/2024 09:24:30 PM
Yeah, the Rapture is pretty ridiculous, as is the entire Dispensationalist system *NM* Dannymac Send a noteboard - 18/05/2011 11:08:01 PM
The quote's from the Wikipedia article on the subject, of which I've just now learned; it pretty much covers the problem with people who maintain things as doctrine with little or no scriptural support: They tortured a VERY dubious conclusion from a few obscure opaque passages and now insist rejecting it is rejecting the bible. It's like saying, "Washington was the first president, Lincoln was the sixteenth president and 1+16=17; therefore, anyone who isn't 17 years old isn't an American: IT SAYS SO IN THE CONSTITUTION111" The whole concept of the rapture is quite possibly an example of this; it rests on a single biblical referencing dead and living Christians meeting a returning Christ in the air, without specifying whether it will be before, after or during the Apocalypse. Otherwise, the bible is utterly silent on any form of Rapture, as was all Christian (not to mention Jewish) doctrine for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture#Doctrinal_history">nearly 18 centuries</a>. There are FAR more Old and New Testament prophecies of the faithful being persecuted during the Apocalypse, so either they aren't leaving before Armageddon or there will be MANY post-Rapture conversions.

The whole idea of pinpointing a date and time for the return of Christ and/or a Rapture is counter to everything the bible says about the Apocalypse (particularly the passage where Jesus Himself says He doesn't know the date) since the idea is that we don't know the date and should thus be always prepared. Really, the notion that "time's running out to get right with God", while valid in the most general sense, is still a completely false and selfish motive for "repentance" (trying to save your sorry rear is not "repentance" of any kind). Repentance is about regret for acknowledged misdeeds and in particular regret for the ingratitude and opposition to God they represent, a desire to reconcile with our Maker. Whether it's treating the Cross as a "Get out of Hell Free Card" or the Rapture as a means to create a sudden fear of Gods wrath, it's still the wrong idea. That kind of attitude has always seemed to me more vindictive anticipation of the awful fate of wicked sinners (which obviously doesn't include those feeling it) than an eagerness for Gods kingdom. It's less about purging sin than punishing sinners, less about glorifying God than glorifying those expecting vindication from Him.
Eschew Verbosity
Reply to message
Three days until the Rapture. What are you gonna do? - 18/05/2011 04:37:44 PM 787 Views
I'm gonna pack my bags so I'm ready, - 18/05/2011 04:48:13 PM 439 Views
Taking my cat to After the Rapture Petcare - 18/05/2011 07:25:20 PM 583 Views
It might be the end of church but I doubt it will trigger the end of the world - 18/05/2011 07:28:23 PM 533 Views
I was more talking about the supposed Rapture on the 21st... - 18/05/2011 08:30:00 PM 449 Views
My wife's church switched to a female chaplain and every predicted doomsday - 18/05/2011 08:53:38 PM 416 Views
same thing i do every night - 18/05/2011 07:28:48 PM 432 Views
Hey Brain, Can I come with you??- signed Pinky. *NM* - 20/05/2011 03:29:18 AM 203 Views
Yikes, they've gotta give us more warning - 18/05/2011 07:38:47 PM 478 Views
No worries. - 18/05/2011 08:28:10 PM 506 Views
What is this thing - 18/05/2011 08:36:23 PM 457 Views
I found this but I can't tell if it is meant to a spoof or if it is real - 18/05/2011 08:51:23 PM 497 Views
Yes, I saw that one, too. - 18/05/2011 08:54:37 PM 384 Views
It's May 19th, not 21st;"I know it's absolutely true, because the Bible is always absolutely true". - 18/05/2011 09:11:56 PM 533 Views
Yeah, the Rapture is pretty ridiculous, as is the entire Dispensationalist system *NM* - 18/05/2011 11:08:01 PM 215 Views
I can accept the latter in the broadest sense. - 19/05/2011 07:27:22 AM 457 Views
Fuck a Nun. *NM* - 19/05/2011 06:06:30 AM 186 Views
The guy is a false teacher who's deceiving people who don't read their Bibles. - 19/05/2011 03:06:01 PM 530 Views
He's not the first, and he won't be the last. *NM* - 19/05/2011 05:01:53 PM 242 Views
You can't spell Rapture without Rap *shudders* *NM* - 19/05/2011 03:38:19 PM 185 Views
Bad Jens, BAD! *NM* - 20/05/2011 03:31:16 AM 175 Views
On Saturday? Running a half marathon *NM* - 19/05/2011 06:18:38 PM 180 Views
Ran one two weekends ago. 10k this Sat. Have fun! *NM* - 19/05/2011 06:19:47 PM 266 Views
Half because you'll be raptured midway through? *NM* - 19/05/2011 10:56:46 PM 196 Views
No, half because I finish there *NM* - 20/05/2011 07:36:05 AM 182 Views
How big is this Raptor? - 19/05/2011 06:33:28 PM 413 Views
If they get too big, how do you tell them apart from Tyranasaurus? - 19/05/2011 10:58:36 PM 388 Views
I'm going to poop. - 21/05/2011 05:41:24 AM 387 Views

Reply to Message